Cairo – Foodstuff exports from Egypt had a slight growth of 0.5% last year compared to 2021. They reached USD 4.124 billion against USD 4.102 billion in the previous year. The Food Export Council of Egypt (FEC) predicted, in early 2022, to reach an expansion between 20% and 25%; however, the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war prevented the sector from reaching its target.
Engineer Hani Berzi, president of the FEC, said in an exclusive interview with the Brazil Arab News Agency (ANBA) the war between Russia and Ukraine and the consequent crisis in the supply chain added to the shortage of raw inputs on the global market and prevented the sector from reaching the growth rates forecast for last year.
He highlighted the growth is very positive and shows this sector’s true potential in the face of the obstacles encountered in 2022. Among these challenges, the restriction of exports of several strategic commodities stood out, as they represented 15% of the segment’s international sales, including flour, pasta, and edible oils. The measure was taken to prevent supply issues in the local market.
Berzi said the sector successfully ensured Egypt’s food security without impacting the supply of any foodstuffs. In addition, the higher growth rates in exports to the European Union, up 31%, and the United States, up 24%, demonstrated the growing global confidence in Egyptian products and their ability to reach the highest standards of reliability and food safety.
Saudi Arabia ranked first among the leading importers of Egypt’s food industry in 2022, with USD 370 million, followed by the United States, USD 277 million; Libya, USD 218 million; Palestine, USD 207 million; and Sudan, USD 182 million, according to the FEC report.
Concerning the current year’s operational strategy adopted by the council, Hani Berzi said: “The conditions in the global market are unstable, and it is impossible to predict when the Russian-Ukrainian war will end and global inflation rates will drop.” He expressed hope of attaining a growth rate to allow the sector to reach USD 5 billion in exports by the end of this year, which was forecast for 2022. Berzi said there are tremendous growth opportunities for Egyptian food exports if global market conditions stabilize.
Regarding the newly-established Arab Food Hub, the president of the FEC pointed out it is always looking for opportunities to increase exports of member companies. He said there is no doubt the other Arab markets are vital for Egyptian companies and account for almost half of the exports. According to him, integration between the Arab countries contributes to increasing sector exports, especially since Egypt is the leading food producer in the region.
Translated by Georgette Merkhan & Elúsio Brasileiro
